Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty is surgery that reduces and reshapes the labia minora, the inner folds of skin around the vaginal opening. Patients choose it to relieve chafing and discomfort during exercise, in fitted clothing, or during intimacy, and to improve symmetry.
The complaints patients give often sound subtle; Leggings that rub. A bike ride that leaves you sore. Intimacy that feels more uncomfortable than it should. For many patients, excess labial tissue causes daily irritation they have quietly lived with for years.
At New York Plastic Surgical Group, our plastic surgeons have performed hundreds of labiaplasty procedures for patients throughout NYC, Westchester, and Long Island. Every personalized treatment plan starts with a private, unhurried conversation about your concerns and goals.
What Is Labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty, also called labia reduction surgery, removes excess tissue from the labia minora, majora, or both.
The goal is inner labia that feel comfortable and look balanced with the surrounding anatomy. Some patients also choose to reduce the labia majora, the outer folds, during the same surgery.
When the inner labia extend past the outer labia, doctors call it labia minora hypertrophy. The term sounds clinical, but it describes a common variation, not a disease. It can be present from puberty or develop after childbirth, weight loss, or aging.
Labiaplasty is also more common than many patients realize. Surgeons performed an estimated 10,827 labiaplasty procedures in the U.S. in 2024.
*modelWhy Do People Get Labiaplasty?
Many patients come to us with a mix of physical and emotional reasons. Labiaplasty can help with:
- Chafing or soreness from leggings, jeans, or swimwear
- Tissue that twists or tugs during bicycle rides and spin class
- Discomfort or pain during intimacy
- Visible asymmetry between the two sides
- Changes after childbirth, major weight loss, or aging
- Irritation that makes daily hygiene more difficult
- Self-consciousness about how your labia look
Labiaplasty does not treat vaginal looseness, bladder leakage, or pelvic floor weakness. Our surgeons can guide you to the right evaluation for those concerns.
How Is Labiaplasty Performed?
Your surgery begins with a consultation. Your surgeon will review your health history, examine your anatomy, and recommend the technique that fits your goals.
Surgeons have described at least seven labiaplasty techniques, and no single approach suits every patient. Our surgeons most often use one of two.
What Is Trim Labiaplasty?
Trim labiaplasty removes excess tissue along the outer edge of the inner labia. It works well for edges that are darker, thicker, or uneven, and it gives your surgeon direct control over symmetry.
What Is Wedge Labiaplasty?
Wedge labiaplasty removes a small V-shaped section from the widest part of the labia, then joins the edges. It keeps the natural edge of the labia intact and provides a certain degree of vaginal/labial tightening.
Labiaplasty is an outpatient procedure that usually takes 45 to 60 minutes and is typically performed under local anesthetic. Your surgeon closes the incisions with dissolvable stitches, so you will not need them removed.
Some patients add clitoral hood reduction, which reduces extra skin above the clitoris. Others combine labiaplasty with a Mommy Makeover, a tummy tuck, or body contouring after weight loss. General anesthesia is used during these combined procedures.
*modelAm I A Candidate for Labiaplasty?
You may be a good candidate for labiaplasty if you:
- Have discomfort, irritation, or self-consciousness related to your labia
- Are in good overall health
- Do not smoke, or are willing to quit before and after surgery
- Have realistic expectations about what surgery can change
Our surgeons want you to feel certain before you schedule. If surgery will not deliver what you are hoping for, we will tell you.
How Long Is Labiaplasty Recovery?
Plan on taking a few days off work. Here is what to expect as you heal:
- First week: Swelling and bruising peak in the first few days. Uneven swelling between the two sides is normal and not a sign of trouble. Light walking is encouraged right away, but avoid strenuous exercise until the week is over.
- First six weeks: Wait four to six weeks before intercourse or using intimate devices. Hold off on cycling and spin class for the full six weeks, or until your surgeon clears you.
- Six weeks to six months: Bruising and most swelling fade by six weeks. Minor residual swelling can linger for up to six months.
Your surgeon will give you detailed aftercare instructions, including how to keep the area clean. Loose, breathable clothing helps during the first weeks.
*modelWhat Results Can I Expect From Labiaplasty?
You will see a difference right away, though your final shape appears as swelling settles. Our surgeons place incisions within the natural folds of the labia. Because this tissue heals well, visible scarring is typically minimal.
Patients often notice functional relief first. Leggings stop rubbing. Cycling stops hurting. Activities you once avoided start to feel normal again.
Satisfaction with labiaplasty is high. A review of 46 studies and 3,804 patients found a 99% satisfaction rate after surgery.
See real patient outcomes in our labiaplasty before and after photos. Results may vary.
What Are the Risks of Labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty has a strong safety record, but it is still surgery. The most common complication is wound separation, when part of an incision opens during healing. Serious complications are uncommon, which is why surgical experience in this area matters.
Before surgery, your surgeon will walk you through potential risks, including:
- Bleeding or infection
- Scarring
- Changes in sensation
- Pain during intercourse
- The need for a second procedure
Why Choose New York Plastic Surgical Group for Labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty is a personal decision, and you should feel at ease with the team caring for you. Here is what you can expect with us:
- A private, one-on-one consultation where your surgeon listens first and never rushes you
- Straightforward answers, including when surgery is not the right choice
- A customized plan built around your anatomy, not a one-size-fits-all technique
- Plastic surgeons experienced in this delicate area
- Offices in Manhattan, Westchester, and across Long Island, so care stays close to home
- Follow-up visits with your surgical team throughout your recovery
That care rests on deep experience. NYPS Group has served patients since 1948 and is the largest and longest-running academic plastic surgery practice in North America. Our 20+ plastic surgeons bring over 200 years of combined experience.
What Else Do Patients Ask About Labiaplasty?
How much does labiaplasty cost in NYC?
Your cost depends on the technique, the type of anesthesia, and whether you combine labiaplasty with other procedures. Our team provides an exact quote once your surgeon builds your plan. Our in-person consultation fee is $250, which we apply toward your surgery if you book. Financing is available.
Does insurance cover labiaplasty?
Insurance does not cover labiaplasty performed for cosmetic reasons. Some plans consider coverage when documented medical symptoms or a congenital difference drive the surgery. Our patient coordinators can explain what documentation your insurer may require.
Does labiaplasty hurt?
You should not feel pain during surgery. Many patients choose local anesthesia with light sedation, while others prefer general anesthesia, especially when combining procedures. Afterward, expect soreness for the first few days. Prescribed medication helps keep you comfortable.
Can I have sex after labiaplasty?
Yes, once you have healed. Plan to wait about six weeks, or until your surgeon clears you. Some patients notice temporary numbness near the incisions, which fades over time. Many patients find intimacy more comfortable once tissue no longer tugs or rubs.
Is labiaplasty the same as vaginal rejuvenation?
Not exactly. Vaginal rejuvenation is a broad term for procedures that address the outside and inside of the vaginal area. Labiaplasty focuses on the external labia. Concerns such as vaginal looseness call for a different procedure, such as vaginoplasty. Your surgeon can explain which option matches your concerns.
Can I still have children after labiaplasty?
Yes. Labiaplasty does not affect your fertility or your ability to deliver vaginally. Childbirth can change the labia again, so some patients schedule surgery after their family is complete.
How old do you have to be to get labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty can help patients across a wide range of ages. We rarely recommend it before the age of 18. For patients under 18, we consider surgery only for significant congenital differences or persistent symptoms caused by labial anatomy.
How Do I Get Started With Labiaplasty?
If discomfort, asymmetry, or self-consciousness has been on your mind, a consultation gives you clear answers. Your surgeon will examine your anatomy, explain which technique suits you, and tell you honestly whether labiaplasty is the right step.
Our plastic surgeons see labiaplasty patients across NYC, Westchester, and Long Island.
1 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2024 Procedural Statistics Release: Cosmetic Surgery Procedures. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2024/cosmetic-procedure-trends-2024.pdf
2 Motakef S, Rodriguez-Feliz J, Chung MT, Ingargiola MJ, Wong VW, Patel A. Vaginal labiaplasty: current practices and a simplified classification system for labial protrusion. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015;135(3):774-788. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000001000
3 Escandón JM, Duarte-Bateman D, Bustos VP, et al. Maximizing safety and optimizing outcomes of labiaplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2022;150(4):776e-788e. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000009552
4 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Elective Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery: ACOG Committee Opinion No. 795. Obstet Gynecol. 2020;135(1):e36-e42. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2020/01/elective-female-genital-cosmetic-surgery
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